Let's Party!
As it has been said countless times; it’s the most wonderful time of the year! Thanksgiving has come and gone, thus ushering in the 2017 holiday season. Many believe giving gifts is what makes the holidays special, and be sure to check our gift guide to find something for everyone on your list. Let’s be honest, who doesn’t love tearing into a beautifully wrapped box, or counting the presents under the tree? However, what would the holiday season be without parties? Whether you are going to an intimate cocktail party, glittering gala, or a bubbly weekend brunch, the holidays are never complete without celebrations! To give you a little inspiration, we found some of the most glamorous, over the top, parties ever thrown. While you may not be able to achieve the grandeur of these fetes, think of them as something to aspire to. If all this talk of parties has you wondering what to wear, don’t worry, we have some ideas for that too!
The Vanderbilt Ball
Known as the party that changed New York Society, Alva Vanderbilt’s 1883 housewarming party was the hottest ticket in town for the rich and fabulous. Vanderbilt hosted a costume party to welcome 1,200 of her nearest and dearest to her new Fifth Avenue home. The most memorable outfit belonged to Vanderbilt’s sister-in-law, who wore a yellow satin dress with batteries underneath that lit up a torch making her look like a golden Statue of Liberty. This party set the town abuzz and brought Vanderbilt to the top of the social elite.
Premiere of Les Noces
In 1923, a party was thrown for the premiere of Stravinsky’s famed ballet, Les Noces. The soiree, held in honor of the composer, was held on a barge that cruised down the Seine. Legend has it that because it was a Sunday, all the florists were all closed, leaving the hostess without anything to decorate the tables with. The hostess, Sara Murphy, a wealthy American expat living in Paris, decided to get creative with the centerpieces. She piled toy cars, clowns, stuffed animals, fire engines, and dolls on each table. Pablo Picasso, a guest of the party, rearranged them into a mini mountain, topped with a cow on a fireman’s ladder. Necessity is truly the mother of invention!
Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball
It would be impossible to write about parties without referring to Truman Capote’s legendary Black and White Ball. Held in New York City, at the Plaza Hotel in 1966, Capote’s party was the event of the social season. He invited top members of society, artists, actors, politicians, and writers. The dress code was simple, black and white. All guests were to wear a mask, and if you forgot one, no worry, they had plenty waiting at the door. One of the most elegant and beautiful attendees was a young Candice Bergen, who finished off her look with a white mink bunny mask.
Malcolm Forbes’ 70th Birthday Extravaganza
What do you do for your 70th birthday when you are a multibillionaire? Well if you were Malcolm Forbes, the answer was simple, fly 1,000 of your closest friends, on privately chartered jets, for an all expenses paid trip to your palace in Morocco. The three day celebration featured non-stop entertainment, fireworks, and sumptuous feasts. Not to mention the honorary hostess for the evening was Elizabeth Taylor, Forbes’ then girlfriend.
Kate Moss’ Beautiful and the Damned birthday party
As one of the most famous models in the world, Kate Moss has also built up a reputation for being quite the party girl. It should come as no surprise that when she throws a party, it turns out to be one for the books. Her 30th birthday celebration began with a girl’s lunch at London’s Mandarin Oriental, then moved to Kate’s suite at Claridges, where Kate and her posse got ready for the big night. Kate was a vision in a sea of vintage blue sequins. The event was named after F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Beautiful and the Damned, in a nod to the wild and reckless era of days gone bye. The actual party was held at photographer Sam Taylor Wood’s home, but rumors have it that the after party, back in Moss’s suite, was where the real debauchery occured, running into the wee hours of the evening!
The Met Ball
Finally we finish with the crown jewel in the party crown, The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s annual Costume Gala. This event is widely considered to be fashion’s biggest night out. Each year the evening kicks off the latest exhibit in the museum’s costume institute. The red carpet is a virtual who’s who of fashion models, designers, actors and actresses, and all those rich and fabulous! Designers create a one of a kind ensemble for a model or celebrity whom they escort to the event. It has become so popular, vogue.com has started live streaming from the red carpet! Forget about the ball Cinderella, take those glass slippers and head for the Met!
As promised, here are some ideas for how you might rock your Sarah Alexandra shirt this holiday season. We love the idea of pairing a crisp white shirt and a statement skirt. Cate Banchett looks stunning in this Giambattista Valli couture ensemble. We would pair this dreamy skirt with our Signature Shirt with Two Button French Cuff in White Haute for a twist on the usual black tie dress code.
Emma Watson went from schoolgirl to fashion icon right in front of our eyes. There is no style she can’t pull off. She is the epitome of modern cool in this tailored black suit. Imagine wearing this with our Weekend Shirt in The Right White to make a statement at your next event.
Sometimes you have to loosen things up. Kirstin Dunst looks effortless, in this pairing. This full leg trouser and shirt combination would be a perfect alternative to a cocktail dress. Our Weekend Shirt in Silver Fox or Grey Expectations would be perfection with these pants, and we love the pop of color in the shoes!
Angelina Jolie never fails to serve up an enviable look. The softness of her shirt plays beautifully off the hardness of the black leather mini. Why not try our Signature Shirt with Two Button French Cuff in Blackout. It would be the perfect twist on the little black dress.
